Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: French
Origin: défrayer, from frais 'cost'

defray

 verb
     
de‧fray

defray costs/expenses

formal to give someone back the money that they have spent on something:
The proceeds from the competition help to defray the expenses of the evening.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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